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Macabre Daily’s PAPER CUTS!

Macabre Daily’s PAPER CUTS!

Macabre Daily's PAPER CUTS! Podcast #119 - 2026 Summer Scares Reading Program's Adult Authors! (August 2026)

Aug 18, 2026 · 28 min · 12 segments

Macabre Daily has been highlighting the amazing authors chosen for the 2026 Summer Scares Reading Program, and we’ve finally reached the final group of dynamite creatives: the Adult Authors! After the…

Macabre Daily has been highlighting the amazing authors chosen for the 2026 Summer Scares Reading Program, and we’ve finally reached the final group of dynamite creatives: the Adult Authors! After the incredible line-up of Middle Grade and YA authors, this group certainly brings the chills with two novels and an anthology that will rock your world. CJ Leede (“Maeve Fly”), Noah Medlock (“A Botanical Daughter”), Shane Hawk, and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. (“Never Whistle at Night”) deliver the perfect nightmare fuel to wrap up your summer. CJ, Noah, and Theodore joined us to talk about the thrill of being chosen for this year's Summer Scares Program, how they got into writing, what kind of horror speaks to them, what kind of scares they love, and so much more. We had the best time talking with these powerhouse creatives, and you’ll love the deep dive into their backgrounds, inspirations, and their joy in crafting the perfect scare. Enjoy! Stay up to date by following Macabre Daily on Instagram, Facebook, and BlueSky!

Macabre Daily has been highlighting the amazing authors chosen for the 2026 Summer Scares Reading Program, and we’ve finally reached the final group of dynamite creatives: the Adult Authors! After the…

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot politicalAudience≈10k followers

Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube Amazon Music Website

Speakers: Sean O'ConnorHostTheodore C. Van Alst Jr.GuestNoah MedlockGuestCJ LeedeGuest

Top entities: Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.×11 Gothic fiction×3 Los Angeles×5 York×4 Becky Siegel Spratford×4

Meet the Guests6:15 – 7:19

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:15

Hey, everyone.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:16

Sean O'Connor here from Macabre Daily's Paper Cuts, where I get to talk to the most dynamic and creative, creative and amazing authors writing horror today, and I have such a treat for everyone because I have the authors who are part of the adult selection of the Summer Scares 2026 reading program.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:38

I have none other than CJ Leede.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:41

I've got Ted...

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:42

This is a f- $10 name if, if I ever heard one.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:46

Ted C.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:46

Van Alst.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:47

I mean, y- you should be like a railroad baron with a name like that.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:51

Dude, dude, the full name is Theodore C.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:54

Van Alst Jr., so-

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:55

Oh, come on now

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:56

... nope, for real.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:57

[laughs]

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:57

Now you're just bragging.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:58

Nope.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:59

Look in the book.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:59

Yeah.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:00

[laughs] And of course-

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

7:01

Thanks, man

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:02

... up in my corner here I've got Noah Medlock.

Noah MedlockGuest

7:04

Hello.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:04

And we're missing...

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:05

We should mention, though, w- we're missing Shane Hawk, uh, who is down with a bit of a cold.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:10

So Shane, this heart goes out to you.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:12

This black and decrepit heart goes out to you, and feel better soon.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.PersonAuthor
98%11 mentions
Gothic fictionEntityLiterary genre
94%3 mentions
Los AngelesCityCity in California
90%5 mentions
YorkCityCity in England
86%4 mentions
Becky Siegel SpratfordPersonWriter
82%4 mentions
InstagramSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
78%2 mentions
Jennifer McMahonPersonAmerican novelist
74%1 mention
United StatesCountryCountry in North America
70%9 mentions
EnglandCountryUK constituent country
66%3 mentions
ColoradoAdministrative AreaUS state
62%2 mentions
BlueskySoftware ApplicationSocial media service
56%2 mentions
FacebookSoftware ApplicationSocial networking service
56%2 mentions
MidsommarMovie2019 film
50%2 mentions
ChicagoCityCity in Illinois
46%3 mentions
CanadaCountryCountry in North America
42%3 mentions
Chicago Public LibraryMovie TheaterPublic library system
38%2 mentions
Histoire de l'œilBookBook by Georges Bataille
34%1 mention
Patrick BatemanEntityFictional character
30%2 mentions
WisconsinAdministrative AreaUS state
26%3 mentions
Memorial DayEntityHoliday
22%1 mention
FraminghamCityCity in Massachusetts
16%2 mentions
MassachusettsAdministrative AreaUS state
16%2 mentions
Generation XEvent
10%2 mentions
MadonnaPersonAmerican singer-songwriter and record producer
6%1 mention
KickstarterOrganizationCorporation
2%1 mention

AuthorsLiterature
Contemporary FictionLiterature > Books > Fiction > Horror
Marginalized VoicesLiterature > Authors > Contemporary Authors
Representation in LiteratureLiterature > Authors > Contemporary Authors > Marginalized Voices
Indigenous HorrorLiterature > Genres > Horror > Dark Fiction
Literary ProgramsSociety > Culture > Libraries > Community Engagement
Book PromotionsEntertainment > Media > Interviews > Author Discussions
Society
CultureSociety
MediaEntertainment
Community EngagementSociety > Culture > Libraries
BooksLiterature
InterviewsEntertainment > Media
HorrorLiterature > Genres
FictionLiterature > Books
HorrorLiterature > Books > Fiction
Contemporary AuthorsLiterature > Authors
LibrariesSociety > Culture
Author DiscussionsEntertainment > Media > Interviews
Dark FictionLiterature > Genres > Horror
GenresLiterature
Entertainment
Literature

Meet the Guests6:15 – 7:19

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:15

Hey, everyone.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:16

Sean O'Connor here from Macabre Daily's Paper Cuts, where I get to talk to the most dynamic and creative, creative and amazing authors writing horror today, and I have such a treat for everyone because I have the authors who are part of the adult selection of the Summer Scares 2026 reading program.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:38

I have none other than CJ Leede.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:41

I've got Ted...

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:42

This is a f- $10 name if, if I ever heard one.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:46

Ted C.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:46

Van Alst.

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:47

I mean, y- you should be like a railroad baron with a name like that.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:51

Dude, dude, the full name is Theodore C.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:54

Van Alst Jr., so-

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:55

Oh, come on now

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:56

... nope, for real.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:57

[laughs]

Sean O'ConnorHost

6:57

Now you're just bragging.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:58

Nope.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:59

Look in the book.

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

6:59

Yeah.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:00

[laughs] And of course-

Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.Guest

7:01

Thanks, man

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:02

... up in my corner here I've got Noah Medlock.

Noah MedlockGuest

7:04

Hello.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:04

And we're missing...

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:05

We should mention, though, w- we're missing Shane Hawk, uh, who is down with a bit of a cold.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:10

So Shane, this heart goes out to you.

Sean O'ConnorHost

7:12

This black and decrepit heart goes out to you, and feel better soon.

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